Press releases pg. 185

Last year, the production of electricity in CEZ increased by more than 11 per cent in comparison with 1999 and, with the value of 50 842 GWh, represented a record performance since the foundation of CEZ in 1992. It is the extended electric power export that can be found behind this increase, by means of which a compensation of 8.5 per cent fall in electricity sales to domestic customers could be managed.

Tightness checks of Unit One containment at Temelin nuclear power plant have started their second half. The twenty-four hour guaranteed measurements checking tightness of the containment at the positive pressure of 70kPa will be completed today at 8 p.m. The test proper in which fifty NPP and contractors' workers have been directly taking for five days part will be finished in the night from this 3rd to 4th August.

"CEZ has generated for the first half of this year the profits after taxes amounting to CZK 3 billion, i.e. more by CZK 2.5 billion (430 %) compared with the same period of the preceding year. This considerable growth is, however, considerably influenced by the favourable development of provisions for exchange-rate variances due to a better rate of exchange of CZK, modified structure of our debt in foreign currencies and also to the fact that the comparison base of the last first half-year had included the discontinuation of retrofit of Tusimice I power plant..."

After the fuel charging in the reactor of Unit One has been successfully completed on 14th July 2000 by completion and sealing of the reactor by IAEA of Vienna on Wednesday, 26th July, the preparation of the unit for the reactor start-up continues with another important test. That is the reconfirmation test of containment started today. The containment is the basic security element and the fourth barrier between the nuclear fuel and the environment round the nuclear power plant. The containment also protects the most important parts of the nuclear power plant from external effects.